Sports

Rockies catch first win of season, but De La Rosa leaves early

Colorado baserunner Chris Iannetta scored on a double by Dexter Fowler in the third inning. On-deck batter Seth Smith congratulated the catcher on the first run of the night. The Colorado Rockies hosted the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field Saturday night, April 2, 2011. (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post)

For the second consecutive game, the Rockies' starting pitcher dealt with a finger injury. The difference is that Jorge De La Rosa kept his thumb on the Diamondbacks in a 3-1 victory Saturday night before succumbing to a blister on his middle finger.

"I wanted to stay in. They didn't want me to risk it," said De La Rosa, admitting that a callus in the same spot under his fingernail last year forced him to squeeze the baseball too hard, creating a flexor tendon injury.

"This is nothing. It happens every year."

Colorado pitcher Jorge De La Rosa delivered to the plate in the first inning. The Colorado Rockies hosted the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field Saturday night, April 2, 2011. (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post)

De La Rosa worked 5 1/3 innings, yielding just three hits while striking out five. He earned the win on the strength of RBI doubles from Dexter Fowler and Chris Iannetta.

Sports fuel the desire for instant gratification. But did all the questions about the Rockies' staff have to surface before the weekend was over? Closer Huston Street wobbled in the ninth, creating a gasp when Russell Branyan's 410-foot out hinted of a three-run home run off the bat. Street ultimately posted a 32-pitch, one-run save as Matt Reynolds and Matt Lindstrom warmed up in the bullpen.

"It's not always going to be pretty," said Street, who likely will be unavailable today. "The Rockies win. That's all that matters."

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The bigger concerns? Can Ubaldo Jimenez repeat 2010, and will De La Rosa avoid the disabled list this season?

Jimenez's next start at Pittsburgh remains in jeopardy after he aggravated a cut on his right thumb cuticle. His velocity and location were compromised by his inability to grip the baseball.

De La Rosa's performance Saturday was not impacted. In his first start since signing a two-year, $21.5 million contract as a free agent, the left-hander showed off a 95 mph fastball, an 86 mph changeup and a curveball that fluttered in at 76.

Imagine trying to swat a bullet and butterfly, and you have an idea of how the Diamondbacks' hitters felt. Five struck out against De La Rosa. His only issue through five innings was the D-backs' Gerardo Parra. After the left fielder walked, De La Rosa and Parra exchanged words.

"He seemed upset that I threw a 3-2 changeup," said De La Rosa, confirming Parra's version. "That's just part of my game."

De La Rosa left after retiring Kelly Johnson in the sixth. He said the blood blister under his fingernail has developed every season in the pros. The Rockies didn't want him to alter his grip and revisit last year's serious finger injury that robbed him of 13 starts. The Rockies were 4-9 in those games.

A crew of three relievers recorded the final 11 outs.

Street needed all of his arm and the park for his first save.

"Their guys were tagging up, so I didn't think Branyan hit it out," Street said. "It was a battle. All that matters is the end result."

Looking ahead

TODAY: Diamondbacks at Rockies, 1:10 p.m., Root

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